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United States Patent | 5,025,159 |
Miller ,   et al. | June 18, 1991 |
The amount of ionizing radiation to which a thermoluminescent material has been exposed is determined by first cooling the thermoluminescent material to a cryogenic temperature. The thermoluminescent material is then optically stimulated by exposure to ultraviolet light. Visible light emitted by the thermoluminescent material as it is allowed to warm up to room temperature is detected and counted. The thermoluminescent material may be annealed by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Inventors: | Miller; Steven D. (Richland, WA); McDonald; Joseph C. (Pasco, WA); Eichner; Fred N. (Kennewick, WA); Tomeraasen; Paul L. (Richland, WA) |
Assignee: | Battelle Memorial Institute (Richland, WA) |
Appl. No.: | 420293 |
Filed: | October 11, 1989 |
Current U.S. Class: | 250/337; 250/484.3 |
Intern'l Class: | G01T 001/115 |
Field of Search: | 250/337,484.1 A,484.1 C |
3835329 | Sep., 1974 | Moran et al. | 250/484. |
3962586 | Jun., 1976 | Mayhugh et al. | 250/484. |